Operative Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Working with our communities for a better environment E mahi ngatahi e pai ake ai te taiao
Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Update Record Date Change / Update Provisions Affected Signature 8 October 2014 Insert new paragraph from policy A4 of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 into the Regional Plan 28 June 2011 Insert policies A4 and B7 from the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management into the Regional Plan Minor amendment 2 March 2010 Plan Change 8 adopted and incorporated into the regional plan Plan Change 8 - Minor amendments Other Minor amendments Consequential Amendments Policy 43A Discharges to Water and Land Policy 43A Discharges to Water and Land Policy 68A Take and Use of Surface Water and Groundwater Pages 255-256 Groundwater Bores: Rules 39, 39A, 40, 40A and 40B. Definition of Terms Flooding Conditions: Rules 23, 24, 30, 30A, 31, 31A, 33, 44, 44A, 46, 47, 70A and 79 Rules 23, 31, 31A, 33 (renumbered) Method 35B and Index renumbered) Updated references to renumbered rules Rule 46A (typographical error and renumbered conditions) Section 5.1 Para 1 (typographical error) Section 9.1 Rules Table (includes rules introduced by Plan Change 8 rules) Section 9.10 Para 14 and Definition of Terms - Farm Quality Programme (correction to plan crossreference Update record inserted Table of Contents updated
Bay of Plenty Regional Council PO Box 364 Whakatane New Zealand Strategic Policy Publication 2008/06 ISSN 1176 4112 BAY OF PLENTY REGIONAL WATER AND LAND PLAN 1 December 2008 Plan Change 8 (Groundwater Bores and Flooding Conditions) incorporated on 2 March 2010 Amended 28 June 2011 as required by National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2011 Amended 8 October 2014 as required by National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2014 Bay of Plenty Regional Council
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Reader s Guide READER S GUIDE There may be some parts of this regional plan that are of particular interest to the reader. To find these parts, the following guide gives a brief summary of what each chapter is about. Section 1 Introduction: names the regional plan; defines its geographical coverage and the resource management issues within its scope; and outlines the purpose of the regional plan. Section 2 Kaitiakitanga: provisions to address section 6(e), 7(a) and 8 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Section 3 The Integrated Management of Land and Water: provisions to address the integrated management of land and water resources in the Bay of Plenty region. Includes surface water and groundwater quality, soil conservation and land management practice issues (including riparian management), and effects of land cover on water quantity. Section 4 Discharges to Water and Land: specific provisions to manage the adverse effects of discharges of contaminants to water and land, discharges of water to water, stormwater discharges, and discharges from existing contaminated sites. This chapter relates to section 15 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Section 5 Water Quantity and Allocation: provisions to allocate surface and groundwater, manage the adverse effects of damming and diversion, address the artificial control of lake water levels, and manage flood hazards. This chapter relates to section 14 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Instream minimum flow requirements are established in this chapter. Section 6 Beds of Rivers, Streams, Lakes and Wetlands: provisions to manage the effects of activities in, on, under or over the beds of rivers, streams, lakes, and land drainage canals. Covers structures, disturbances of the bed, deposition of substances, reclamation and drainage, introduction or removal of plants, and stock presence in the beds of surface water bodies. This chapter relates to section 13 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Section 7 Geothermal Resources: provisions to manage the allocation, damming and diversion, discharge of geothermal heat, fluid and energy. Drilling of geothermal bores and geothermal hazards are also addressed. This chapter relates to sections 14 and 15 of the Resource Management Act 1991. Section 8 Wetlands: provisions to protect and maintain wetlands in the region, and encourage the creation of new wetlands in appropriate areas. Section 9 Regional Rules: contains regional rules relating to sections 3 to 8 of this regional plan. Section 10 Financial Contributions: defines circumstances where financial contributions may be used in relation to activities controlled by this regional plan, and the amount of the financial contribution. Section 11 Information to be submitted with Resource Consent Applications: directs resource consent applicants to contact Environment Bay of Plenty to ensure sufficient information is submitted with a consent application. Section 12 Anticipated Environmental Results: the environmental outcomes that are expected as a result of provisions in this regional plan. Section 13 Cross Boundary Issues: the methods and processes that will be used to identify and address resource management issues that cross the boundaries between districts, and between regional councils. Section 14 Plan Review Process: the process that will be used to review this regional plan, and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of its provisions. Schedules 1 to 14: Contain more detailed information and data related to the above sections necessary to the provisions and requirements of the regional plan. Definition of Terms used in this regional plan. Bibliography i
Reader s Guide Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan 1 December 2008 ii
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Contents (updated 8 October 2014) Part I Contents 1 Introduction... 1 1.1 Citation... 1 1.2 Scope of Plan... 1 1.3 Purpose of Plan... 5 1.4 Role of Environment Bay of Plenty under the Act... 6 1.5 Management of Land and Water Resources under the Act... 9 1.6 Statutory Acknowledgements... 9 1.7 Use of Guidelines and Standards... 11 1.8 He Whakamohiotanga mo te Mahere a-rohe e pa ana ki nga Wai me nga Whenua... 11 2 Kaitiakitanga... 15 2.1 Kaitiakitanga... 18 Part II 3 The Integrated Management of Land and Water... 27 3.1 Issues... 27 3.2 Objectives... 33 3.3 Policies... 35 3.4 Methods of Implementation... 37 3.5 Explanation/Principal Reasons... 50 4 Discharges to Water and Land... 63 4.1 Discharges of Contaminants or Water to Water, and Discharges of Contaminants to Land... 63 4.2 Discharge of Stormwater... 75 4.3 Contaminated Land... 84 5 Water Quantity and Allocation... 91 5.1 Take and Use of Surface Water and Groundwater... 91 5.2 Damming and Diversion of Water... 108 5.3 Management of Flood Hazards and Land Drainage... 112 5.4 Control of Water Levels in Natural Lakes... 115 6 Beds of Rivers, Streams, Lakes and Wetlands... 121 6.1 Activities in the Beds of Rivers, Streams and Lakes... 121 6.2 Stock in Surface Water Bodies... 133 7 Geothermal Resources... 139 7.1 Geothermal Resources... 139 8 Wetlands... 155 8.1 Wetlands... 155 Part III 9 Regional Rules... 165 9.1 Guide to Rules... 165 9.2 Land and Soil Disturbance Activities... 168 9.3 Grazing and Stock in the Beds of Surface Water Bodies... 196 9.4 Discharges of Nitrogen or Phosphorus from Land Use and Discharge Activities in the Rotorua Lakes Catchments... 203 9.5 Discharges to Water and Land... 219 9.6 Take and Use of Water... 242 9.7 Damming and Diversion of Water... 248 9.8 Motu River and Specified Tributaries... 258 iii
Contents Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan 1 December 2008 (updated 8 October 2014) 9.9 Artificial Control of Water Levels in Natural Lakes... 259 9.10 Activities in the Beds of Rivers, Streams, and Lakes... 259 9.11 Geothermal Water, Heat or Energy... 305 9.12 Wetlands... 311 Part IV 10 Financial Contributions... 319 10.1 Circumstances, Purpose and Amount... 320 10.2 Matters to be considered... 322 10.3 General Provisions... 323 11 Information to be Submitted with Resource Consent Applications... 325 11.1 General Information... 325 11.2 Land and Soil Disturbance Activities... 325 11.3 Activities Controlled by Rules in Section 9.4... 326 11.4 Discharges to Water and Land... 326 11.5 Take and Use of Water... 326 11.6 Activities in the Beds of Rivers, Streams or Lakes... 327 11.7 Geothermal Resources... 327 11.8 Wetlands... 328 12 Anticipated Environmental Results... 329 12.1 Kaitiakitanga... 329 12.2 Water Quality... 329 12.3 Soil Resources... 330 12.4 Water Quantity... 330 12.5 Beds of Streams, Rivers and Lakes... 331 12.6 Geothermal Resources... 331 12.7 Wetlands... 331 12.8 Ecosystems... 331 12.9 Community Awareness of Environmental Issues... 332 13 Cross Boundary Issues... 333 13.1 Processes to Address Cross-Boundary Issues... 333 14 Plan Review Process... 335 Schedule 1 Aquatic Ecosystem Areas... 337 Schedule 2 Fish Spawning and Migration Calendar... 353 Schedule 3 Watercourses in Land Drainage Schemes with Ecological Values... 355 Schedule 4 High Risk Facilities... 357 Schedule 5 Maintenance Areas of River Schemes and Land Drainage Schemes... 359 Schedule 6 Floodways in the Bay of Plenty... 371 Schedule 7 Instream Minimum Flow Requirements... 373 Schedule 8 Approved Quality Assurance Programmes and Environmental Management Plans375 Schedule 9 Water Quality Classification Standards and Criteria... 377 1 Natural State (Lake) Water Quality Classification... 378 2 Natural State (River) Water Quality Classification... 379 3 Managed State (Lake) Water Quality Classification... 380 4 Aquatic Ecosystem (Bay of Plenty) Water Quality Classification... 380 iv
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Contents (updated 2 March 2010) 5 Contact Recreation Water Quality Classification... 381 6 Water Supply Water Quality Classification... 382 7 Modified Watercourses with Ecological Values Water Quality Classification... 383 8 Drain Water Quality Classification... 384 9 Regional Baseline (Bay of Plenty) Water Quality Classification... 384 Schedule 10 Freshwater Bathing Sites... 387 Schedule 11 Lawfully Existing Hydroelectric Power Schemes... 389 Schedule 12 Forestry Operators Accreditation System... 391 Schedule 13 Statutory Acknowledgements in the Bay of Plenty Region... 421 Schedule 14 Standards for the Construction, Reconstruction, Maintenance or Decommissioning of Holes, Bores, Wells and Infiltration Galleries... 423 Definition of Terms... 425 Bibliography... 449 Index... 451 Appendix 1 Relevant Rules in Tarawera River Catchment (see inside back cover) List of Figures Figure 1 Link between Identified Values and Environmental Standards... 6 Figure 2 Riparian Area... 31 Figure 3 Lake Water Quality Management Timetable... 60 Figure 4 Lake Action Plans and Regulation... 61 Figure 5 Water Allocation Program... 97 Figure 6 Instream Minimum Flow Requirements Process... 107 Figure 7 Coverage of Rule 16 and 21... 225 Figure 8 Measurement of Dam Height in Rule 46... 253 Figure 9 Upstream Ramp Design for Drift Decks... 290 Figure 10 Typical Cross Section Of The Rangitaiki Floodway... 372 Figure 11 Bed of a River... 427 Figure 12 Types of Wetlands... 444 List of Maps Map 1 Bay of Plenty Region... 3 Map 2 Rotorua Geothermal Field as Covered by the Rotorua Geothermal Regional Plan... 141 Map 3 Geothermal Fields in the Bay of Plenty... 145 v
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Contents (updated 2 March 2010) Map 4 Upper Kaituna River Scheme Maintenance Area... 360 Map 5 Lower Kaituna River Scheme Maintenance Area... 361 Map 6 Tarawera River Scheme Maintenance Area... 362 Map 7 Rangitaiki River Scheme Maintenance Area I... 363 Map 8 Rangitaiki River Scheme Maintenance Area II... 364 Map 9 Whakatane-Waimana Rivers Scheme Maintenance Area... 365 Map 10 Waiotahi River Scheme Maintenance Area... 366 Map 11 Waioeka-Otara River Scheme Maintenance... 367 Map 12 Lower Kaituna River Major Scheme Drainage Area... 368 Map 13 Waiotahi and Huntress Creek Drainage Districts... 368 Map 14 Rangitaiki Drainage District... 369 Map 15 - Rangitaiki Floodway... 371 List of Tables Table 1 Environment Bay of Plenty s Functions under the Act... 7 Table 2 Methods of Promoting and Encouraging Sustainable Land and Water Management Practices... 38 Table 3 Promotion of Environmental Programmes... 43 Table 4 Water Quality Classification Criteria...49 Table 5 Trophic Level Indices (TLI) Current and Management Goals... 51 Table 6 Explanation of TLI in Objective 11...53 Table 7 Methods to Manage Lake Water Quality... 54 Table 8 NERMN Modules Relevant to the Regional Plan... 56 Table 9 Lake Water Quality Programme (at 2005)... 56 Table 10 Contaminant Discharge Requirements... 67 Table 11 Responsibilities for Stormwater Management... 82 Table 12 Responsibilities for Contaminated Land... 87 Table 13 Water Allocation Methodology... 94 Table 14 Water Allocation on Surface Water bodies with Hydroelectric Power Schemes... 95 Table 15 Water Management during Drought and Low Flow Events... 102 Table 16 Instream Minimum Flow Requirement Methodology... 103 vi
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Contents (updated 2 March 2010) Table 17 Protection Levels for Aquatic Life... 105 Table 18 Environmental Standards for Damming and Diversion Activities... 110 Table 19 Requirements for the Artificial Control of Lake Water Levels... 118 Table 20 Potential Adverse Environmental Effects from Activities in, on, under or over the Beds of Streams, Rivers and Lakes... 122 Table 21 Requirements for Activities in, on, under or over the Beds of Streams, Rivers and Lakes... 125 Table 22 Management of the Effects of the Use and Development of Geothermal Resources... 142 Table 23 Geothermal Resource Allocation Methodology... 146 Table 24 Management of the Discharge of Geothermal Water... 146 Table 25 Classification of Geothermal Fields... 150 Table 26 NERMN modules relevant to Geothermal Resources... 153 Table 27 Responsibilities for Wetland Management... 162 Table 28 Permitted Limits for Earthworks and Quarries... 169 Table 29 Controlled Earthworks... 172 Table 30 Restricted Discretionary Earthworks and Quarries... 174 Table 31 Riparian Retirement Distance... 180 Table 32 Permitted Vegetation Clearance in the Riparian Management Zone... 181 Table 33 Permitted Threshold Limits for Forestry Earthworks by Accredited Operators... 186 Table 34 Permitted Limits for Clearance of Vegetation by Burning... 190 Table 35 Locations Where Cultivation is Not Permitted (Discretionary activity under Rule 5A)... 194 Table 36 Rules in Rotorua Lakes... 204 Table 37 Section 9.4 Activities and Associated Rules... 205 Table 38 Rule 11A-11E Mandatory Review Clause... 206 Table 39 Rule 11B Nutrient Benchmark Information Requirements... 210 Table 40 Rule 11C Nutrient Benchmark Information Requirements... 212 Table 41 Agrichemical Application in Riparian Areas... 224 Table 42 Rules for Damming and Diversion Activities... 249 Table 43 Rules for Structure and Bed Disturbance Activities... 260 Table 44 Streams and Rivers for Rule 70A... 299 Table 45 Exclusion Periods for Canal Maintenance Works... 302 vii
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Contents (updated 2 March 2010) Table 46 Circumstances and Purposes of Financial Contributions... 320 Table 47 Whitebait and Juvenile Migration Summary... 354 Table 48 Spawning Summary... 354 Flow Diagrams Flow Diagram 1 Earthworks and Quarries... 176 Flow Diagram 2 Vegetation Clearance... 185 Flow Diagram 3 Forest Harvesting and Earthworks... 189 Flow Diagram 4 Clearance of Vegetation by Burning... 193 Flow Diagram 5 Cultivation... 196 Flow Diagram 6 Stock in the Bed of a River or Stream... 200 Flow Diagram 7 Controlled Stock Crossings... 202 Flow Diagram 8 Discharges and Land Use Activities in the Rotorua Lakes Catchments... 218 Flow Diagram 9 Stormwater Discharges... 237 viii
1 December 2008 Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan Contents List of Abbreviations and Acronyms Act/The Act Resource Management Act 1991 AEP CSC Environment Bay of Plenty IFIM IMFR LTCCP MALF NERMN NZTA OSET Plan RHYHABSIM The/this regional plan TLI WMA Annual Exceedance Probability Comprehensive Stormwater Consents Bay of Plenty Regional Council Instream Flow Incremental Methodology Instream Minimum Flow Requirement Long Term Council Community Plan Mean Annual Low Flow Natural Environment Regional Monitoring Network New Zealand Transport Agency On-Site Effluent Treatment Regional Plan River Hydraulic Habitat simulation Regional Water and Land Plan Trophic Level Index Wetland Management Agreement ix